Turning Orange: A Texan’s path to VFL status and a retrospective of our top 2024 fan tales
The journey from a starry-eyed high school recruit in the heart of Texas to a die-hard Vol For Life (VFL) is one paved with grit, passion, and a whole lot of orange. In 2024, few stories encapsulate that better than the tale of Caleb Montgomery, a Dallas native who traded in his burnt orange backyard for the smokey kind nestled in the Appalachian foothills. But his is just one of many narratives that defined this unforgettable season in Big Orange Country. In this piece, we’ll track Caleb’s transformation from Texan transplant to Tennessee icon—and revisit the unforgettable fan tales that made 2024 one of the most electric years in Vol Nation history.
From the Lone Star to Rocky Top: Caleb’s Orange Awakening
Caleb Montgomery’s story didn’t begin in Neyland Stadium. It started under the Friday night lights of Highland Park High School, where the 6’4″, 215-pound wideout tore up Texas 6A defenses with a blend of finesse and fire. Initially a lean toward Texas A&M, Caleb’s recruitment took a sharp turn after a visit to Knoxville in the fall of 2022.
He tells it best:
“Man, when I walked through The T and heard that crowd roar, something clicked. It wasn’t just football—it was family, tradition, energy. I just knew. I wanted to be part of that.”
What followed was a two-year whirlwind of early enrollment, SEC-sized growing pains, and a breakout junior season in 2024 that earned Caleb second-team All-SEC honors. But his on-field stats only tell half the story.
Off the field, Caleb dove headfirst into East Tennessee culture—from hiking House Mountain to learning the lyrics of “Rocky Top” by heart. He adopted the accent, the cuisine (“I never had banana pudding like that in Texas”), and the attitude. More than anything, he earned the respect of his teammates and Vol faithful, becoming a symbol of what it means to bleed orange.
Coach Heupel said it best:
“Caleb’s a Tennessee man now. The kid embraced every part of this program. He didn’t just show up—he became one of us.”
By season’s end, Montgomery wasn’t just wearing the orange; he was the orange. And when he raised the Power T flag in the rain after a victory over Alabama? That’s when everyone knew—this Texan had turned all the way orange.
2024: A Season Etched in Orange and White
While Caleb’s journey stood out, it was far from the only story worth telling. This past season was chock-full of fan moments that reminded the world why Tennessee has one of the most passionate followings in all of college football. From student section stunts to cross-country pilgrimages, here are a few unforgettable tales from the Volunteer faithful in 2024.
1. The Knoxville Proposal That Broke the Internet
October 5th, Tennessee vs. Florida. Neyland is rocking. Halftime hits, and suddenly, section JJ erupts. On the jumbotron, camera pans to Mason and Lila—lifelong fans from Kingsport—just as Mason drops to one knee in a sea of orange.
The crowd’s cheer was deafening, the moment heart-melting. And yes, she said yes. The proposal went viral, racking up over 2 million views on TikTok and even a shoutout from Peyton Manning himself:
“Now that’s how you make it a Vols victory.”
They’ve already announced a 2025 wedding date—with plans to walk down the aisle to the Pride of the Southland Band’s version of “Rocky Top.”
2. Big Orange Caravan: The Road Trip of the Century
When 72-year-old Walter “Pappy” Jenkins decided to visit every SEC stadium the Vols played in this year, few believed he’d pull it off. With a 2003 Ford Econoline dubbed “The Volmobile,” decked out in orange checkerboard paint and a stuffed Smokey riding shotgun, Pappy hit the road.
From Athens to College Station, he clocked over 4,000 miles, documenting the journey on his blog “Old Vol, New Roads.” His posts—full of fried chicken reviews, stadium rankings, and heartfelt Vol anecdotes—garnered a loyal online following.
Pappy summed it up best in his final post after the season finale:
“I saw a lot of fields. But none felt like home the way Neyland does.”
3. The Orange Wall: Student Section’s Record-Breaking Streak
2024 also saw the Tennessee student section take things to another level. Led by a coalition dubbed The Orange Wall, students packed Neyland for 21 consecutive events—football, basketball, and even volleyball—setting a university engagement record.
Clad in coordinated orange outfits, complete with checkerboard overalls and face paint, the student body created an unmatched atmosphere.
One sign during the South Carolina game read:
“Sleep? Homework? Nah—we’re here for the Vols.”
Local media declared it a renaissance in student culture—proof that the passion for Tennessee sports burns brightest in the young hearts of Knoxville.
Vols Across the Map: Coast-to-Coast Support
Vol Nation isn’t just a Knoxville affair—it’s global. One of the most heartwarming stories came out of Portland, Oregon, where the PNW Vols (Pacific Northwest Vols) group gathered every game day at a local bar decked out in orange decor, complete with Tennessee whiskey specials and Rocky Top singalongs.
Group founder Jake Walters, a 2009 alum, said:
“Out here, it’s easy to feel like you’re far from home. But on Saturdays, we bring Neyland to the Pacific Northwest.”
Elsewhere, Tennessee alumni groups in London, Seoul, and Sydney organized 3 a.m. watch parties and raised funds for the university. Wherever you looked, the orange wave flowed strong.
Looking Ahead: What Comes After the Orange Rush?
As the 2024 season fades into memory, one thing is clear: this year will be a benchmark in Volunteer lore. Caleb Montgomery’s VFL coronation, unforgettable fan stories, and record-breaking crowd energy proved that Tennessee football isn’t just back—it’s thriving.
With recruiting looking strong and Coach Heupel firmly in control, the program is poised to continue its rise. But perhaps more importantly, the cultural momentum behind the orange brand feels unshakable.
Because at the end of the day, being a VFL isn’t just about wins. It’s about moments—shared, sung, and sometimes tearfully lived in the shadow of Neyland’s towering bleachers.
Final Word: Once a Vol, Always a Vol
From a Texas recruit to a Tennessee legend, from viral proposals to 4,000-mile road trips, 2024 reminded us all why we fall in love with the orange in the first place. It’s more than football. It’s belonging. It’s memory. It’s tradition.
And for Caleb Montgomery, and every fan who gave their voice, time, and heart to the cause—it’s a life chosen, earned, and worn proudly.
Here’s to the stories that turned a season into a legacy.
